Opinions On Tax Increase

Letters to the editor

March 31, 1991

Editor's note: Rising costs, fewer state and federal dollars and falling county revenue have pushed Carroll's deficit over $5 million. The Budget Office has directed all county agencies to cut their budgetsby 1 percent for fiscal 1991, which ends June 30, and by 2 percent for fiscal 1992. . We have been asking readers where cuts should be made, whether taxes should be increased and related questions. Here aresome of the replies we received:

From: Charles Lindner

Westminster

I do not support any increase in the tax rate for any reason.

I am retired on a fixed income.

My taxes increase by 10 to 15 percent a year now.

Enough is enough. Let government tighten its belt as I must do.

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From: J. Andrea Dodge

Finksburg

I do not support any increase in the tax rate for any reason.

All county agencies should freeze their budgets at 1991 spending levels (1991 fiscal year) for the upcoming year (fiscal 1992).

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From: David A. Pyle Jr.

Finksburg

I do not support any increasein the tax rate because our tax base has greatly increased, also additional huge revenue increases from exorbitant re-evaluations of property.

If tax rates stay the same, we will have a large increase intaxes already and additional taxes to fund new services.

(Note consistent yield tax rates.)

For our taxes to remain the same, thereshould be a decrease in the tax rate to the constant yield rate.

Let's quit adding new positions and functions and departments to a growing bureaucracy and trim some of the excesses from government.

Also, let's quit using the myth of the demand for expanded services asa rationale for raising taxes.

The current economic crisis provides an incentive and an excellent opportunity to correct government excesses, clean house and improve efficiency.

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From: George E. Shook Jr.

Hampstead

I do not support any increase in the tax rate for any reason.

Most of our politicians are supposedly small-business oriented and should realize if you keep raising your prices (taxes) to balance the budget, you will eventually be out of business.

Balance the budget within. If this means cutting payroll, welfare, education, etc., then do it.

Stop using the taxpayer as a crutch. Invest tax dollars wisely and make a profit.

Most of us have earned our few luxuries in this life, and I believe in helping thy neighbor . . . but overdoing this has been taken too much for granted.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak out!

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From: John Fernandez

Westminster

I do not support any increase in the tax rate for any reason.

They kept beating on me to conserve -- I know how.

Let them learn how, too!

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From: Bonnie L. Shipley

Hampstead

I do not support any increase in the tax rate for any reason.

I pay for septic, well and trash removal.

My taxes get higher each year.

I have no children in school -- enough is enough. The state should cut back on its wasteful spending.

Let the poor working people try to keep some of their earnings!

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From: Charles Laudicina

Sykesville

I do not support any increase in the tax rate for any reason.

As a federal employee, I have averaged under a 3 percent pay raise for the last five years.

It may be the time that Carroll County employees will have to suffer with less, especially the teachers.

The teachers have received big raises over the past five years and now should receive a moderate raise of 1 to 2 percent.

The budget must be balanced without a tax increase. We had enough tax increases over the last five years.